Retailers to extend tax-free hours

Retailers are prepping for this weekend's sales tax holiday — the 11th annual reprieve from the 6.25 percent state tax since 2004 — with longer hours and additional discounts.

And some are again extending the tax-free savings beyond this weekend, particularly electronics, appliance, furniture and jewelry retailers who sell big-ticket items and stand to benefit most from the holiday.

This Saturday and Sunday's holiday relieves consumers from paying the 6.25 percent state sales tax on most items that cost $2,500 or less, excluding telecommunications items, tobacco products, motor vehicles, motorboats, gasoline, electricity and meals.

DePrisco Diamond Jewelers is offering tax-free purchases today through Aug. 22 at its Boston and Osterville locations. And Bernie & Phyl's eight furniture stores have been giving a 12.5 percent discount — equal to twice the sales tax — since Aug. 3 and will continue doing so through Sunday, after which they'll offer a 6.25 percent discount until Aug. 23.

“We want to give people some extra days to save on their taxes and even give those who may be away the first half of August a chance to save,” CEO Larry Rubin said in a statement. “This is our Black Friday in many respects, as it gets people out of the house and into stores.”

Telecommunications equipment such as cellphones for non-business uses are eligible for the sales tax savings. It's an important caveat, said Somerville consumer advocate Edgar Dworsky, since Verizon will stop subsidizing new customers' cellphone purchases on Thursday.

Simon Malls, meanwhile, has extended certain Massachusetts mall hours for the sales tax holiday to 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Sunday. They include the Burlington Mall, Liberty Tree Mall, Northshore Mall, South Shore Plaza and Square One Mall.